by Piper Rayne
I giggle and set my coffee on the desk before shrugging out of my jacket. Although we’re in Florida, it’s winter. There may not be snow, but it’s freezing outside. You’d never guess I’m originally an Idaho girl.
“How was your night?” I ask.
“Good. How was your date with Joran on New Year’s Eve?”
I sit down in my chair and pick up a pen, teetering it back and forth.
Tedi groans. “I don’t understand why you’re still dating him.”
“Because he’s the most decent guy since…”
“Asshole. Repeat after me… Ass. Hole.”
“I don’t want to talk about Jeremy.”
She throws her arms in the air. “Now you’ve ruined my day. You know I can’t stand his name.”
“He’s my ex.”
“Yes, but I had to endure him all the same.”
“It’s been two years,” I remind her.
Tedi was our neighbor when I moved down here to Florida with Jeremy. She’s the one who told me about him cheating when I went to work, and we’ve been best friends ever since.
“Anyway, I’m not sure how much longer it’ll last with Joran.” I speak honestly because I tell Tedi everything, although I haven’t told her about my encounter with Aiden Drake. Mostly because she’s a hockey fanatic and would make a bigger deal out of it than it is. When Joran had invited me to the New Year’s party, I wasn’t even sure if anyone from the team would be attending. I just knew it would be a bunch of rich people out of my league if they were invited by the Gerhardts.
She leans her chair back and crosses her ankles on the edge of the desk. “What happened?” she mumbles around her croissant.
“New Year’s was kind of a bust and the other night, I went to the Fury game with him.”
“Seriously? And you didn’t invite me?”
“I was in a box with him and people from his office. I spent most of the game watching it on my own, even though I don’t know much about hockey. Joran said there was some rookie kid in the box he wanted to impress. I honestly wondered why he even brought me in the first place.”
“I could’ve been your tutor,” she says.
“You’ve tried, remember? I’ll never understand why they come and go off the bench so much and what it all means.”
She laughs. “For someone who does social media for athletes, you might wanna try harder.”
I stick out my tongue at her and she laughs.
“Watch out, your face might freeze like that.”
“Anyway. Aiden—”
“Drake?” Her eyes light up. “He’s out of his funk. Did you hear?” She twirls in her chair. “He had an amazing game.”
I watched from the box, elated for a man I barely know. Joran might as well have orgasmed by the third goal, screaming so loud that families below the box were staring at us. I can’t deny that after I got home and turned on the television, I listened to the announcers talk about his slump, showing pictures of the amazingly strong man’s head hung in defeat after so many other bad games, a huge smile pulled on my face that he’d finally scored again. Not only once, but three times in one game.
“Saige?” Tedi says with a tone of curiosity.
I snap back to the present. “Yeah?”
She circles her finger in front of my face. “That.”
I wipe at my face with my hand. I scarfed down a muffin on the way here and must’ve left some evidence behind.
“There’s nothing on your face except that you look like you just woke up from one helluva wet dream.”
“Tedi,” I groan.
She laughs and finishes her croissant, grabbing the coffee she brought from home in her Go Florida Fury travel mug. I will say that after seeing a game like the one last night, I see why people like hockey. It’s fast-paced, and when someone scores, the screams from the fans are contagious.
“I told you, those hockey players are hot. I love it when they fight.” Her gaze drifts up to the ceiling as if she’s in a dream-like state.
I roll my eyes. There’s no denying they’re attractive. Aiden especially. He has these eyes I swear see into your soul. Dark and dangerous. “I’m not sure I love the fighting.”
“Oh my god, you’re crazy. You know Maksim Petrov? He’s a defender.”
I nod. I’m supposed to have a meeting with Maksim tomorrow, and I’m thinking an off-site meeting might be better so Tedi doesn’t try to climb him like a tree.
We’re mid-conversation when our office door opens. Because we’re appointment only, we rarely get drop-ins except the mail carrier, so I’m shocked to find Aiden Drake standing there. He walks in, passes Tedi’s open mouth, and comes over to me, placing a wine glass and a bottle of white wine on my desk.
“Aiden,” I say, sliding my desk chair back.
He doesn’t sugarcoat his reason for being here. “I need you to throw this drink in my face.”
I stare at him with surprise, then amusement. He’s got to be kidding me.
“Listen.” He looks back at Tedi—who I’m shocked hasn’t chimed in, then grabs the chair from in front of my desk and sits on the edge of it, leaning forward and placing his forearms on my desk.
Yep, still drool-worthy.
“I told you how I was in a slump on New Year’s Eve, right?”
“Oh, you dirty little—”
I raise my hand to stop Tedi from continuing. Aiden glances over his shoulder for a second before returning his attention to me.
“Well, my last game was killer. Three goals plus an assist. And…” He glances over his shoulder again. Tedi’s staring at him as if he’s her second chocolate croissant for the day. “Could we go somewhere private?”
Tedi narrows her eyes at me. “Oh, you’re in so much trouble.”
“It’s okay. Tedi knows whatever happens in here is private. Tedi, this is Aiden Drake.”
She gets up from her chair and comes over, hand out. To my surprise, Aiden doesn’t check her out the way I thought he might—Tedi’s very attractive. I haven’t found the nerve to Google Aiden yet—because I don’t want to find out he’s a womanizer and that on New Year’s Eve, I was just the girl who happened to be the one he thought he’d get into his bed for the night.
“I’m Tedi, president of your fan club,” she says, shaking his hand and staring at his much larger one. “Whoa, the damage you could do to a little thing like me with hands like those.”
“Tedi,” I sigh.
She laughs. “I’m totally joking. You’re not my type at all.”
Aiden’s eyebrows haven’t come down from being raised to his hairline yet. He glances at me then back at Tedi. “That’s good… I think.”
“You actually believed that?” She laughs and smacks him on the shoulder. “You’re everyone’s type, my man. I mean, center on a professional hockey team, team captain, chiseled jaw, dark hair, and those eyes. They always look like something filthy is going on behind them.”
I want to high-five Tedi—his eyes are exactly what drew me to him. It was like he was undressing me with his eyes and envisioning what he would do to me if we were alone.
Aiden nods. “Thanks?”
“You’re welcome. I don’t mind boosting a guy’s ego once in a while, but don’t hurt my best friend here. Ask her what happened to the other guy who hurt her.” Tedi’s tone grows serious, and her face actually makes her threat believable. Though other than helping me toss Jeremy’s clothes over the balcony, I’m not sure I remember anything else she did to him.
He raises his hand. “I’m only here for her to throw a drink in my face.”
“Which I’m not going to do,” I chime in and earn his attention. Big mistake having those dark eyes on me again.
His shoulders fall. “You have to. If you don’t, I won’t be able to score tonight.”
I laugh. I understand superstitions—I’ve had my own throughout my life—but this is way out there. “I thought you didn’t believe in superstitions?”
Ted
i grabs her chair and wheels it over, getting comfortable, sitting with her legs crossed.
Aiden looks from her back to me. “I didn’t until that game. Everything about my life was normal until the night we met.”
“You should’ve slept with him. Imagine what would’ve happened then,” Tedi says.
“I’m going to put duct tape across your mouth if you don’t stop talking,” I warn her.
She raises her hands, smiling. “I’m just saying, then you’d have to sleep with him before every game. I bet you’re good in bed. I mean all that training… the stamina you must have.”
Aiden’s mouth opens and shuts as though he has no idea how he should answer. “I do all right.”
Even I know he could probably press me to a wall and fuck my brains out until he had no choice but to lay me down to recuperate.
Tedi laughs and says nothing.
“The drink in the face means nothing,” I say, hoping to end this.
“What do you want in return? Season tickets? Done.”
“I don’t watch hockey.”
Tedi raises her hand. “I’ll do it for season tickets. I’m your biggest fan.”
“Clothes? A shopping spree?” he asks.
I cross my legs. “You’re not going to buy me anything. I’m not looking for a sugar daddy.”
“I’ll give you anything, just name it. A date with me?” He winks.
I hope he’s joking. “Let’s remember, I’m kind of dating your agent.”
His smile falters. “Come on. I’m begging. Do you want me down on my knees?” He moves to stand, and I put up my hand.
“I’ll gladly go down on my knees for the season tickets.”
“Tedi!” I screech.
She knows me well and can see I’ve reached my limit, so she stands and wheels her chair away. “I’ll just go mind my business over here. But I gotta say, you might as well experiment. See if it works this time. Maybe it was a fluke, but you won’t know until you do it another time.”
I narrow my eyes at her while Aiden points at her. “She has a point.”
I groan and put my head on my desk. Why am I really arguing this? He’s not asking for anything more than a drink in the face.
“Fine.” I pick up my head, grab the bottle, and pour a glass.
“Really?” Aiden stands. “Should we mimic the way we were standing?”
“How were you standing?” Tedi asks as if it’s a juicy piece of gossip.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I say, picking up the glass and tossing the wine in his face.
His eyes widen in shock and his tongue slides out and licks his lips. “I’m not much of a wine guy, but I’m starting to enjoy the sweetness.” He winks. “I’ve got a game in two nights. I’ll be back.” He grabs a piece of paper and scribbles down his number, pushing it my way. “That’s my number if you need me.”
I stare at it for a moment, then catch Tedi’s eyes widening, her mouth ajar.
“Thanks, Saige. This means a lot to me.”
His sincerity hits me right in the chest and a warm feeling radiates outward.
“I’ll put two tickets at will call under your name for tonight.” He picks up one of my business cards and twirls it in his fingers. “And remember when I shoot that goal, it’s all because of you.”
Then he’s out the door. I slump back into my office chair to calm my breathing.
“Oh yeah, I can totally see that you’re not interested in that guy,” Tedi says, shaking her head.
I have to tread carefully here because Tedi’s right. But things could get out of control fast with a man like Aiden Drake, and I swore a long time ago that I’d never date a professional athlete again.
Been there.
Done that.
Shattered heart to prove it.
Chapter Three
Aiden
“So tell me you did her?” Ford asks the minute I step foot in the locker room.
I narrow my eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“The blonde. New Year’s Eve.” He undoes his tie, following me to my locker. “You nailed her, right? So we should expect Shamrock on the ice again tonight?”
Ford means well, he really does. He’s just spoiled and lives a privileged life. But I have no doubt the day is coming when some woman will get him on his knees, begging.
“No, it’s not like that.”
Despite me assuring them I slept alone after the party, my teammates think I ghosted them on New Year’s Eve because I was getting laid. In their minds, I slept with Saige, and so in order for me to have another great game tonight, I have to sleep with her again.
“Let’s just say it’s taken care of,” I say like a fucking weasel. I feel like I’m back in high school, except I never had time for girls in high school because I was always training and working on my game. But I don’t want to lie about Saige and me. She’s no puck bunny, that’s for sure. “But I didn’t sleep with her.”
“Sure, you didn’t.” Ford pats me on the back, practically jumping up as we enter the changing area. “No worries, guys, our captain did his duty!”
A roar of applause and shouts ring out from everyone.
I shake my head and sit in front of my locker.
Maksim joins me on my other side. “I’m so fucking excited for tonight now.” He unclasps his slacks. “We’re gonna kick the Sharks’ ass,” he says in his Russian accent.
Another roar from our team. Everyone is in good spirits. I don’t think that telling them that the superstition might be a woman throwing white wine at my face will crumble their spirit, so I promise myself I’ll tell them after the game. Definitely after we come back with a win. Of course, if I don’t score, then it was all for nothing anyway and my last game was just a coincidence.
Ford gets everyone hyped up, playing his hip-hop, and dancing as he changes into his gear. The man loves to party. I keep to myself and change into my pads.
“Did you hear? I hired the blonde yesterday,” Maksim says, lacing up his skates.
“For your social media?”
He nods and smiles. “I hate that shit. I can’t stand seeing all the shitty comments. Messes with my head.”
“You could forgo social media,” I tell him, and he balks.
“You might get away with that because you’re Aiden Drake, but for a lot of us, it’s how we gain fans and get sponsorships.”
“But now the blonde is doing your posting.” I quirk an eyebrow.
He laughs. “True, but she said I could post anything as long as I clear it with her. She gave me some great tips on how to keep stalkers away. She’s gonna be like my fairy godmother. Well, a hot fairy godmother.”
Hot indeed.
“One day, you’ll have to get back on social media.”
I shake my head. “Never gonna happen, my friend. I’m off the grid when it comes to shit like that.”
I had accounts until… I stop myself from going down that line of thought.
“I guess it doesn’t matter since you’ve got the hot blonde in your bed.”
“I told you...” I run my hand through my hair. “I didn’t sleep with her.”
“Yeah right.”
“She’s dating Joran. I can’t sleep with her.”
His ass falls to the bench and he looks as if I just told him his puppy got run over by a semitruck. “But you said—”
“I said I took care of it and I did.”
“How?” His blue eyes look weepy.
I blow out a breath, but I know I can trust Maksim with this. He’s been there for me during my entire slump, staying in my ear about the hotshot I am. “Just trust me, okay?”
His eyebrows raise to his hairline. “So she blew you?”
My head falls back. “No. Nothing sexual. She’s dating Joran, remember?”
His head shakes. “I trust you, but if you don’t come out on top tonight, I’m thinking maybe you should nail her.” He stands on his skates. “I gotta use the ca
n.”
“Should’ve done that before you put on your skates!” Ford yells and sits down next to me.
“It’s his superstition,” I remind Ford.
He laughs. “I know, but seriously, it’s just gross.”
I laugh and lace up my own skates. At least Maksim puts on new guards afterward. I eye our poor water boy, Tyler, waiting with the new pair.
“Did you hear about the therapist old Gerhardt hired?” Ford asks.
I nod.
“I told Coach I’ve seen enough therapists in my life. I don’t need one to play hockey.”
“You need someone to stop you from doing stupid shit like getting in a bar fight.” Being captain, I have to say it how it is. Not that any other teammate wouldn’t tell him the same. He’s like a wild dog—hard to put a collar on, let alone a leash.
“Come on. The guy asked for it.”
“We have a reputation. We don’t want to be the team who starts fights off the ice.”
He holds up his hands. “Did Lena get a hold of you or something?”
Lena is Ford’s family’s PR rep, and by now, we’ve all seen a time or two when she’s called to give him hell about something or other that’s been in the press. I’ve yet to bring up the rumor I heard about Ford sneaking out of the New Year’s Eve party and flying back to New York with her. If anyone wants to put him on a leash, it’s his father, but he relies on Lena to do it. Too bad she’s yet to figure out Ford.
“Come on. You don’t want that reputation. You have a lot more years in hockey.”
He finishes lacing up his skates. “Well, I plan on having my therapist write a letter to Gerhardt to say I can’t be counseled by two people, it’ll just mess me up even more.” He grins as if his plan is brilliant.
I shake my head as he walks away.
Maksim comes out of the bathroom and switches out his guards before walking out to the hallway.
I grab my helmet, gloves, and stick and head out of the locker room. All the guys are roaring and screaming, patting me on the head since I go out on the ice last. The second my skates hit the ice, the cool air rushes up my nostrils—my body calms. The best feeling in the world is when I push off on my skates and glide with my stick out in front of me.
